Modular devices and systems configured to receive a plurality of removable modules and to enable data transfer between the modules

ABSTRACT

An electronic device includes a backplane including a set of slots configured to receive user-removable modules; a printed circuit board, coupled to the backplane; and a set of interface blocks, electrically connected to the printed circuit board, that enable power and data transfer between modules coupled to the set of interface blocks.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/896,564, filed on 28 Oct. 2013, which is incorporated in its entirety by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the mobile electronics field, and more specifically to new and useful modular devices and systems in the mobile electronics field.

BACKGROUND

There are many types of mobile telephones today. Some phones are configured to provide basic telephone features, and may be referred to as feature phones. Other phones may be configured to provide more functionality, and may be referred to as smartphones. Smartphones may be configured to operate according to a mobile operating system, and generally provide more advanced computing capability and connectivity than feature phones. Many smartphones combine functions of a personal digital assistant (PDA) with a mobile phone. Some smart phones add functionality of portable media players, compact digital cameras, pocket video cameras, GPS navigation units, etc., to form one multi-use device. Typical phones (either smartphones or feature phones) include multiple internal hardware components enclosed within a housing, a battery, and a display.

SUMMARY

Within examples, a computing device is provided that includes a backplane or other receptacle configured to receive a number of removable modules that may be positioned into slots in the backplane. The removable modules may include various components and/or electronics. In one example, the removable modules may be configured to perform functions of a mobile telephone (either independently or through coordination). In other examples, the removable modules may be configured to perform any type or number of functions, and such functions may be independently performed by distinct modules or performed by a combination of modules. Still further, in some examples, the modules and respective covers provide a canvas for aesthetic customization of the computing device.

Within examples, the backplane is configured to enable power transfer and communications between the modules, and to mechanically couple modules together to form an integral device or housing for the modules.

Many of the described components and functions of examples herein may be divided up into additional functional or physical components, or combined into fewer functional or physical components. In some further examples, additional functional and/or physical components may be added to the examples as well.

These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with reference where appropriate to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 24 illustrates an example printed circuit board of a device; and

FIG. 25 illustrates an example printed circuit board schematic including a switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description describes various features and functions of the disclosed systems and methods with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, similar symbols identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative system and method embodiments described herein are not meant to be limiting. It may be readily understood that certain aspects of the disclosed systems and methods can be arranged and combined in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.

Within examples, a computing device is provided that includes a backplane configured to receive user-removable modules that may be positioned into slots in the backplane. In one example, the device may be a mobile telephone, and the modules may contain various mobile phone components. The backplane allows for power transfer and communications between the modules, and may hold the module together into an integral device without the need for an enclosure or a housing physically surrounding the modules, for example. The backplane may include a communication network switch (e.g., Unipro switch, PCIe switch) that directs incoming data packets from modules to an appropriate output port (e.g., to another module, or to backplane components), power switches on backplane power ports to enable reset or shutdown of modules, and current-monitoring or current-limiting circuitry on each power port to limit inflows and outflows of power. The backplane may optionally include a button to engage or disengage locking mechanisms of the modules to enable removable or locking of the modules, and the backplane may also optionally include an indicator LED or other display to provide status information.

The computing device may take the form of a mobile telephone, a tablet computer, a digital music player, or any other general purpose computing device. The configurations are of three different size computing devices. A configuration of the devices is based on a grid system, each device occupying a portion of space of the grid. For example, the large configuration comprises a 4×7 portion of the grid, the medium configuration comprises a 3×6 portion of the grid, and the small configuration comprises a 2×5 portion of the grid.

The grid may be any number of cells, a maximum grid size may be 4×7. Each cell of the grid may be multiple sizes, and one example includes 20 mm×20 mm. Each cell of the grid is preferably a uniform size, but alternatively, a single grid may contain multiple grid cell sizes.

While examples of the grid are shown as rectangular grids, the grid may be any subdivision of a maximum computing device size (e.g., a triangular grid).

Each device is configured to hold or otherwise couple a number of modules. A number, size, and orientation of modules for each device are based on an arrangement of rails in on a backplane of the devices. Thus, a parceling of the devices into same size cells of the grid may enable modules to be used in all sizes of the devices, such that some modules may be used in multiple configurations of the device. Example module sizes include a 1×1 (e.g., 20×20 mm), a 1×2 (e.g., 20×43 mm), and a 2×2 (e.g., 43×43 mm). In some examples, however, some module sizes may only be used within some device configurations due to size of the modules or a configuration of the device.

The computing device may include a backplane onto which rails are formed. For example, the device is shown with multiple rails, one of which is a spine that extends along a length of the device. Other rails include ribs that are positioned perpendicular to the spine. Some rails, such as the ribs, extend from the spine to a perimeter of the device, while other rails, such as rail, may extend across a width of the device. Within examples, the rails provide structural strength for the device along a length and width of the device.

Additional example configurations of rails in which more ribs may be provided, and more ribs may extend across a width of the device. The rails may form slots into which modules, such as module, may be inserted. A number and configuration of the rails on the backplane may dictate a number of slots, and thus, number of modules that the device can accommodate. For example, the device is configured to accommodate up to eight modules, a device is configured to accommodate up to nine modules, and a device is configured to accommodate up to twelve modules. In some examples, slots that are formed by the rails may also secure the modules in the Z dimension.

A front view of example configurations of a device. The device is shown to include a backplane onto which rails are formed. Each of rails extend across a width of the device and segment a front of the device into separate areas for separate modules. For example, a top and bottom portion of the device includes modules, and a center section includes module which may be a display module. In the examples, the front of the backplane does not include a spine or any rail that extends along a length of the device to enable the center section to include an uninterrupted area for the display module, for example. In other examples, however, the front of the backplane may include a spine (not shown), or may otherwise be configured similarly to a back of the backplane.

Another example configuration of a device follows. There is one rail at a top area of the device to segment the device into two portions. In yet another example configuration of a device, there are no rails on the front of the backplane, and thus, an entirety of the front of the device may include a display module, for example.

Example side, front, and back views of example configurations of a device, illustrate a large configuration of a device, which may have overall dimensions of 164 mm×91 mm×9 mm, for example. The large configuration may be configured to accommodate up to ten customizable modules, and may have a single front-facing display module slot, and nine rear-facing module slots. In some configurations, the large device may be configured to accommodate fourteen 1×2 modules, and a front side may support four modules rather than a single display.

A medium configuration of a device, which may have overall dimensions of 141 mm×68 mm×9 mm, for example. The medium configuration may be configured to accommodate up to ten customizable modules, and may have two (or three) front-facing module slots for a display module and other modules (e.g., a media/E-Ink module), and six rear-facing module slots. In other examples, the medium device may be configured to support twelve modules (e.g., six 1×2 modules and six 1×1 modules), and four front side modules. Some example modules are shown on a front side of the device including a speaker module that may include a camera, a display module that may include volume buttons and a microphone on a side portion of the display module as well as a power button on another side of the display module. Additional example modules are shown on a backside of the device including a module (e.g., configured to have any function side as additional cameras, LED lighting, etc.), a battery module, a switch, a micro USB, a radio (e.g., including antenna), an application processor (AP), and another battery. Such modules are examples only, and many other types of modules or modules configured to provide or perform alternate or additional functionality may be included.

A small configuration of a device, which may have overall dimensions of 118 mm×45 mm×9 mm, for example. The small configuration may be configured to accommodate up to eight customizable modules, and may have two front-facing module slots for a display module (which may include a speaker and camera) and a media/E-Ink module, and six rear-facing module slots. The display module may include volume buttons and a microphone on a side of the display module, and a power button on another side of the display module. Some example modules are shown on a back side of the device including a switch, an application processor (AP), a radio, a camera module, a battery module, and a USB and power module. In other examples, the small device may include ten backside modules (e.g., 1×1 modules) and four front side modules.

The slots within the example configurations may be of same shapes and sizes to allow for universal use of modules across multiple configurations. For example, the medium and large configurations may accept all types of modules, while the small configuration may accept 1×1 and 1×2 modules. However, in some example configurations, the large device may not accept 1×1 modules.

A portion of the device illustrates rails of a backplane including rails. Each of the rails may be 2.5 mm in width, for example.

A backplane is illustrated, and a backside of the back plane includes modules, and a front side of the back plane includes a module. A thickness of each of the modules may be 4 mm, and a thickness or spacing between the modules may be 1.5 mm, for a total thickness of the device of about 9.5 mm, for example. A magnified view of a portion of the device is shown to illustrate a distance between the modules of 1 mm and to illustrate that the backplane sits a distance of about 0.5 mm below a surface of the modules, for example.

The module has a curved corner of about 1.5 mm radius and is a continuous section all around. In some examples, curvature of the modules enables the rails to provide structural constraints to hold the modules into the frame from a normal direction. The curvature may be more pronounced at a top than a bottom of the module. The continuous section all around the modules allows for the 1×2 module to be rotated from a horizontal to a vertical orientation and still be held by a section profile of the module in the normal direction.

A front side of the device includes two slots divided by a rail. A display module may slide into the slot, and another module (e.g., an e-ink display) may slide into the slot.

A back side of the device includes multiple slots defined by rails, such as a spine and a rib. The back side is shown to include multiple modules as well, such as module, which slides into the slot. The slots include interface blocks, such as interface block, which couples with an interface block on an underside of the module. The interface block includes a power contact (e.g., power pins) configured to provide power to the module and data interfaces (e.g., a capacitive pad) configured to enable data transfer between modules. The power contact may be configured to provide power to the module, or to receive power from the module (e.g., a module may be configured to generate power, such as through use of inductive charging coils, photovoltaics, hand-crank generators, and fuel cells). The data interface may be configured to transfer data using capacitive pads, or through use of current conduction as well. In further examples, the data interface may be configured to transfer data using an optical interface (e.g., laser diode/photodiode pair), a high-frequency (e.g., 60 GHz) RF, or near-field magnetic communications as well.

The slots further include a metal insert, such as metal insert (or metal portion), which is configured to secure the module within the slot via a received magnetic force. The metal insert may be of ferromagnetic material. For example, the spine may form a portion of each slot, and the metal insert for each slot may be included in a portion of the spine forms at positions on the spine corresponding to the portion of the slots. The metal insert may be flush with the spine. In some examples, the backplane or spine may comprise a metal, such as steel or another soft magnetic material, and the metal insert may be unnecessary since the spine comprises a magnetic material. Thus, the metal insert may be replaced by a metal portion within the spine, or the spine itself may comprise a metal portion within the slot, for example.

The spine and the rib, as well as other rails of the device, may include grooves configured to enable modules to slide into respective slots due to a rounded configuration of the modules. In other examples, the slots may include indents that are configured to secure the modules within the slots by receiving a corresponding protrusion of the modules.

A first example module may be a 1×1 module (e.g., configured to fit into a slot having a size of 1×1 in the grid, for example). A second example module may be a 1×2 module (e.g., configured to fit into a slot having a size of 1×2 in the grid, for example). A third example module may be a 2×2 module (e.g., configured to fit into a slot having a size of 2×2 in the grid, for example). Each of the modules includes an interface block, such as interface block on the module, for example. In addition, each of the modules includes an electro-permanent magnet, such as electro-permanent magnet on the module. The modules are configured to slide into slots on the device such that interface blocks of the modules couple to interface blocks in the slots, and such that the electro-permanent magnet of the modules secures to the metal inserts in the slots, for example, as described more fully below. Modules may further include pins (for power) and data transfer pads (e.g., capacitive pads, inductive coils, or optical transceivers) for data transfer, or may include data pins for power and data transfer.

Example configurations of a backplane of a device with no modules installed. In the front view, a small configuration of a backplane is shown that includes three cross rails that form two slots. Each slot includes an interface block, such as interface block, arranged in a horizontal manner. The interface block includes power contacts at a bottom of the interface block and labeled as positive and negative polarity. In the front view example configuration, a positive polarity is on a right and a negative polarity is on a left. The interface block also includes other capacitive pads to enable data transfer.

In the back view, the backplane includes a spine, and a number or cross rails, which together form a number of slots. As shown some slots are square slots or 1×1 slots, and other slots are rectangular slots or 1×2 slots. Each of the slots includes an interface block, such as interface block, arranged in a vertical manner. For interface blocks on a left side of the device, power contacts are positioned such that negative polarity is on top and positive polarity is on bottom. For interface block arranged vertically on a right side of the device, power contacts are positioned such that a positive polarity is on top and a negative polarity is on bottom. In the back view, the interface blocks are shown to be mirrored in placement from left to right (with polarity reversed) to enable a 1×2 module to be used in the small configuration device, and also to be used in the medium or large configuration device by rotating the 1×2 module and lining up pads on a bottom of the 1×2 module with those on the device appropriately. In addition, a 1×1 module may be used on either a left or right side of the device by rotating the 1×1 module 180 degrees to have polarity lined up appropriately.

In the front view, a medium configuration of a backplane is shown that includes three cross rails that form two slots. Each slot includes an interface block, such as interface block, arranged in a horizontal manner. The interface block includes power contacts at a bottom of the interface block and labeled as positive and negative polarity. In the front view example configuration, a positive polarity is on a right and a negative polarity is on a left. The interface block also includes other capacitive pads to enable data transfer. Other interface blocks, such as interface block, may be provided as well, in which power contacts are positioned at a top of the interface block, for example.

In the back view, the backplane includes a spine, and a number or cross rails, which together form a number of slots. As shown some slots are square slots or 1×1 slots, some slots are rectangular slots or 1×2 slots, and other slots are square slots or 2×2 slots. Each of the slots includes an interface block, such as interface block. Slots on a right side of the backplane include interface blocks arranged in a horizontal manner such that polarity of the power pins has a positive polarity to the left and a negative polarity to the right. Slots on a left side of the backplane include interface blocks arranged in a vertical manner such that polarity of the power pins has a positive polarity on bottom and a negative polarity on top. Some slots may include multiple interface blocks, such as slot, for example.

In addition, in the back view, some slots are shown to include multiple interface blocks within a given slot. For example, larger slots include two interface blocks that may couple with multiple interface blocks of larger modules to enable additional data transfer. However, not all interface blocks within a given slot, or all capacitive data pads of the interface blocks, may be used at all times.

In the front view, a large configuration of a backplane is shown that includes two cross rails that form a slot that includes multiple interface blocks, such as interface block, arranged in a horizontal manner. The interface block includes power contacts at a bottom of the interface block and labeled as positive and negative polarity. In the front view example configuration, a positive polarity is on a right and a negative polarity is on a left. The interface block also includes other capacitive pads to enable data transfer. Other interface blocks may be provided as well in which power contacts are positioned at a top of the interface block, for example.

In the back view, the backplane includes a spine, and a number or cross rails 086, which together form a number of slots. As shown some slots are rectangular slots or 1×2 slots, and other slots are square slots or 2×2 slots. Each of the slots includes an interface block. Slots on a right side of the backplane include interface blocks arranged in a horizontal manner such that polarity of the power pins has a positive polarity to the left and a negative polarity to the right. Slots on a left side of the backplane include interface blocks arranged such that polarity of the power pins has an opposite configuration.

Example configurations of removable modules include a 1×1 module, for example, which includes an interface block arranged in a vertical manner. The interface block includes power pins labeled with positive and negative polarity. The interface block further includes eight capacitive pads configured for data transfer. The median interface block is described as being arranged vertically on the module, however, such an arrangement may be dependent upon how the module is positioned. The interface block is arranged along a length of the module, and since the module is square, the interface block may be considered arranged vertically or horizontally depending upon a position of the module.

An example configuration of a removable module in a rectangular format includes the module includes an interface block arranged in a vertical manner. Another example configuration of a removable module in a rectangular format. The module includes two interface blocks arranged vertically. For the rectangular module, one interface block is required. The arrangement illustrates an optional configuration in which two pads may be provided for additional functionality depending upon details of the electronics of the module, for example. Interface blocks are described as being arranged vertically on the modules, however, such an arrangement may be dependent upon how the module is positioned. The modules are rectangular, and the interface blocks are positioned along a length of the rectangle or along a long-edge side of the rectangle, for example.

In some examples, due to a configuration and arrangement of the interface block, the module may be positioned vertically or horizontally into a backplane.

An example configuration of a removable module in a larger square format, includes the module includes an interface block arranged in a horizontal manner. Another example configuration of a removable module in a square format includes the module includes two interface blocks arranged horizontally. For the rectangular module, one interface block is required. The arrangement illustrates an optional configuration in which two pads may be provided for additional functionality depending upon details of the electronics of the module, for example. The interface blocks are described as being arranged horizontally on the modules, however, such an arrangement may be dependent upon how the module is positioned. The interface blocks are arranged along a length of the modules, and since the modules are square, the interface blocks may be considered arranged vertically or horizontally depending upon a position of the module.

Interface blocks are provided such that the modules may couple to the backplane without any plugs or other types of physical interfaces or connectors. The capacitive data pads enable a flat form factor for the modules, and the power pins may include pushpins for solid contact to transfer power.

An example placement of modules into backplanes of multiple configurations includes a small configuration backplane is shown. A 1×1 module may be inserted into any of the 1×1 slots. The example illustration shown is a view looking through the module to see a placement of pins on an underside surface. The 1×1 module may be universal and interface blocks may be positioned on a backside of a surface of the module such that the interface blocks may couple to the interface blocks of the backplane and power pins line up appropriately. Another 1×1 module is shown as well being inserted into another 1×1 slot. In addition, 1×2 modules are shown being inserted into 1×2 slots.

A medium configuration backplane is shown. As above, a 1×1 module is shown being inserted into a 1×1 slot, and a 1×2 module is shown being inserted into a 1×2 slot. The medium configuration backplane may also include 1×2 slots in a horizontal configuration, and the 1×2 module may be rotated to fit into the slot so that the power pins line up appropriately. Another 1×2 module is shown as being inserted into a horizontal 1×2 slot. Thus, 1×2 modules can fit vertically or horizontally into vertical or horizontal slots by rotating the module so that the power pins line up appropriately.

The modules may be configured to be inserted into a slot in a specific orientation. Due to placement of the pads, the modules may be used in multiple configurations of the device by rotating the modules into appropriate slots. For example, on the small size device, a 1×1 module may be rotated 180 degrees to be used on the other side of the spine, and on a medium size device, a 1×2 module may be rotated 90 degrees to be used on either side. The interface blocks may not be centered on the modules, but rather may be biased to a side.

In some examples, the modules may be configured to transfer data through the backplane using a D-PHY/M-PHY physical layer specification. D-PHY may be configured to use four capacitive data pads per lane (bi-directional) while M-PHY may be configured to use two capacitive data pads per lane (bi-directional). In other examples, the modules may be configured to transfers data based on the UniPro specifications, USB or PCIe. The backplane may further include a microcontroller or FPGA (not shown) that communicates with the backplane via the capacitive pads on the bottom of the modules or via another method. Data transfer through the backplane may have any set or subset of the following features: high speed (gigabits/second), low power consumption (e.g., through low swing signaling and standby modes), low pin count, high reliability, and high robustness.

In other examples, the modules and backplane may include optical data contacts, and each may be configured to transfer data using an optical data transfer. Still other data transfer methods are possible as well, such as a high-frequency RF (e.g., 60 GHz) in which instance the backplane and modules may be configured to include receivers and transmitters, or near-field inductive communication could be used as well to enable wireless transmission of data between coils within the backplane and modules.

A side view of an example device in which modules have been inserted. Once inserted, the modules may be configured to provide a smooth and flat form factor for the device. In some examples, the backplane may have a horizontal and a vertical dimension, and slots are arranged to receive the modules such that the modules are constrained to be within the horizontal and vertical dimension. In other examples, modules may be allowed to violate the dimensional constraints of the backplane.

A portion of an example device in which a module exceeds a thickness dimension of the device. For example, a number of modules are shown inserted into the backplane, and a module is shown as exceeding a thickness dimension, or “Z” direction dimension of the device. The module may include a camera with a z-axis expansion, for example.

An example device in which a module exceeds a length dimension of the device. A number of modules inserted into the backplane, and a module is shown exceeding a length of the device. The module may be a pulse oximeter module with a y-axis expansion.

Modules may be placed into any slot in which the module fits. In some examples, it may be desirable for some modules to be placed at certain positions of the device. For example, for modules that emit a certain amount of radiation (e.g., radio waves), such modules may be positioned at a bottom of the device. In addition, in other examples, for modules that include antennas, such modules may be positioned to be toward a perimeter of the device to lower an amount of possible interference with other modules or components of the device.

Any number or type of modules may be used and inserted into devices described herein. In addition, some modules may be duplicates, or in other words, multiples of existing modules may be provided within a given device, such as multiple batteries, for example. In yet other examples, a slot of the device may be filled with a blank module, which may be a cosmetic module or a module that does not include any electronics that are configured to perform any functionality so as to fill all slots of the device. A few examples are described below.

In one example, a display module may be inserted into a slot on the front side or back side of the backplane. The display module may include an active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) display with an integrated controller. The display module may be driven a GPU in a display module microcontroller using the MIPI DSI-1 interface over MIPI D-Phy. The display module may include capacitive volume up-down buttons on a left-top side of the display module, and a power button on the right-top side of the display module. The display module may further include a microphone, for example.

Another example module includes a media module. The media module may include a microphone and a speaker, and also a 3.5 mm headphone jack, for example.

Another example module may include a battery module that is configured to provide a nominal open-circuit voltage of about 3.2V±0.2V. The battery module may have a nominal charging voltage of 3.6V±0.2V. The battery module may include a lithium polymer battery, and may also include a switching converter to power a 3.3 V bus, for example.

Another example module may include an application processor. The application processor may be configured to operate according to an operating system (OS), and may have a M-PCIe/UniPro interface. The application processor module may further include a micro SD card slot, for example.

Another example module may include a communication module that includes an antenna configured to be compliant with a service provider and regulatory requirements (e.g., cellular communications). The communication module may further include a Wifi module (or the Wifi module may be a separate module) that includes functionality for wireless communications according to IEEE 802.11b, for example.

Another example module includes a USB connector module, which may include a micro-B USB connector. Still other example modules may include a thermal imaging camera or a pulse oximeter module.

Modules may serve any function or purpose. Some example module types include sensor modules, processor modules, storage modules, communication modules, display modules, and power modules. Examples of sensor modules include accelerometer modules, GPS modules, camera modules, depth imaging modules, fingerprint reader modules, biometric modules, microphone modules, digital/analog input modules, haptic input modules, infrared flash modules, pedometer modules, barometer modules, magnetometer modules, and gyroscope modules. Examples of processor modules include application processor modules and graphics processor modules. Examples of storage modules include flash memory modules and RAM modules. Examples of communication modules include Wi-Fi radio modules, GSM/CDMA radio modules, HDMI connector modules, NFC modules, Bluetooth radio modules, and USB connector modules. Examples of display modules include touchscreen LCD modules, non-touch graphical display modules, and e-ink display modules. Examples of power modules include battery modules, solar panel modules, and battery charging modules. The variety of modules preferably serve to provide various options and combinations of inputs, outputs, data storage, data processing, communication, power, and other suitable aspects of a computing device. Note that these example module types are in no way exhaustive or exclusive; i.e., modules may incorporate functionality from many of these example types or from none at all, and modules may additionally or alternatively incorporate suitable functionality not herein described.

In an example device, the device is shown with a backplane that comprises a front backplane and a back backplane. The front backplane may include horizontal rails, as described, and the back backplane may include a spine and a number of horizontal ribs, as described previously. A display module may couple to the front backplane.

The front backplane may couple to the back backplane through a battery layer and a printed circuit board. The battery layer may provide power for the structure as well as act as a heat sink to dissipate heat generated by displays and electronics on the printed circuit board. The battery layer provides power to allow for removal and insertion of modules without powering down the device. The printed circuit board may include interface blocks, such as interface blocks, and metal inserts between adjacent interface blocks, such as metal insert. The back backplane may include openings within slots such that the printed circuit board couples to the back backplane and content pad for the slots are inserted into the openings of the back backplane within the slots.

In some examples, the front backplane and the back backplane, as well as the battery layer and the printed circuit board, may be considered a backplane for the device that includes a front side and a back side. Within examples, the backplane may thus refer to a skeleton or base structure of the device, and not necessarily the back or rear-facing portion of the device since the device also supports front-facing modularity as well.

Within examples, the back backplane comprises a metal (e.g., aluminum), and the metal housing enables heat to transfer from the modules to the housing to dissipate out of the modules and into the back backplane, so that the back backplane acts as a heat sink.

Likewise, the front backplane may also comprise a metal housing (e.g., aluminum) and the metal housing enables heat to transfer from the modules to the housing to dissipate out of the modules and into the front backplane, so that the front backplane acts as a heat sink.

Backplane housings may provide structural support in addition to or alternatively to providing heat transfer abilities. Backplane housings may be made of rigid materials to enable structural stability, but may additionally or alternatively be made of any suitable material. Backplane housings may also assist in managing radio-frequency (RF) characteristics; for example, the back backplane may be designed to electromagnetically shield modules from one another. Backplane housings may also be designed to serve as antennas at one or multiple frequencies for modules (or for any electronics included within the printed circuit board.

FIG. 24 illustrates an example view of a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board 2410 includes an FPGA, microprocessor, and/or microcontroller 2420 (referred to simply as the FPGA 2420, though it is recognized that the pictured circuitry may be an FPGA, microprocessor, and/or a microcontroller) and a plurality of interface blocks 2430. The FPGA may include a network communication switch (which enables communication between modules connected to the interface blocks 2430).

FIG. 25 illustrates an example schematic view of a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board 2510 includes network communication switch 2520 and a plurality of interfaces blocks 2530.

The network communication switch 2520 functions to enable direct communication between modules by creating data links between modules (which the switch 2520 may modify, monitor, or control). By monitoring and/or controlling data links between modules, the switch 2520 can mediate module data transfer. The switch 2520 may operate using packet switching or in any other suitable manner (e.g., circuit switching). The switch 2520 may control communication by setting bandwidth limits, lane assignments, data rate limits, or any other suitable data transfer configuration data. Other examples of data transfer configuration data include module priority levels; module priority levels determine how modules are assigned bandwidth over time. For example, if two modules send data transfer requests at the same time and the switch 2520 capable of processing them only serially (as opposed to in parallel), the switch 2520 may allow the module with the higher module priority level to transfer data first. As another example, if two modules request 400 MBpbs of communication bandwidth, but the switch 2520 has only 600 MBps bandwidth available, the switch 2520 may grant the module with higher priority level the full 400 MBps requested, while granting the module with lower priority level only 200 MBps of communication bandwidth.

Direct communication preferably refers to data transfer that does not require a host or intermediary module for communication. For example, modules can communicate directly by sending packets to the switch 2520, which then are sent directly to other modules based on the destination address (set by the originating module). This is distinct from an architecture that requires a host; for example, peripheral devices connected to a USB bus require a master device to be able to pass information between each other. Another consequence of this is the maximum bandwidth available for inter-device communication is inherently limited by the bandwidth of connections to the master device and the processing capability of the master device.

In an example module, the module includes a back cover, an electronics board, a shielding layer, and a front cover. The back cover may expose contacts or interfaces of the electronics board for coupling purposes. The front cover may couple to the back cover and may be customized to include any type of graphics or aesthetic design, and may be replaced as well. The shielding layer protects the electronics board while the front cover is removed. The shielding layer further enables all modules to behave similarly for radio frequency (RF) emissions and helps for antenna design, for example. In some examples, the module may further include a thin pad of conductive foam (not shown) on a bottom of the module to fill space and enable a snug fit into a slot, as well as to reduce transmission of radiation.

The electronics board includes power pins and data transfer pins, as well as an electro-permanent magnet, and may also include other data transfer interfaces (e.g., capacitive data pads or optical transfer interfaces). The electro-permanent magnet may be activated to hold the module into place within a device.

The electronics board may include any electronics used by the module; for example, microcontrollers, microprocessors, sensors, actuators, batteries, or any other electronic components.

Portions of a module including an electro-permanent magnet. The electro-permanent magnet does not require constant power, but rather, a voltage pulse is provided to electro-permanent magnet for activation and then the electro-permanent magnet is permanently magnetic in that state. The electro-permanent magnet can be provided another voltage pulse to de-magnetize the electro-permanent magnet. Thus, the electro-permanent magnet is a type of magnet that includes both an electromagnet and a permanent magnet and in which a magnetic field produced by the electro-magnet is used to change a magnetization of the permanent magnet. The permanent magnet includes magnetically hard and soft materials, of which only the soft material can have its magnetization changed. When the magnetically soft and hard materials have opposite magnetizations the magnet has no net field, and when the magnetically soft and hard materials are aligned the magnet displays magnetic behavior.

An electro-permanent magnet includes a copper wire coil and magnetic material. An H-Bridge comprised from six discrete MOSFET transistors drives the magnets, which are wired in series. Four of the transistors are wired as an H-bridge, and the other two provide the gate drive. Four microcontroller GPIO pins are used to control the H-bridge. The magnets can be driven with 26 Volts DC (as a 50 microsecond, 10 ampere pulse) which may be stored in a tantalum capacitor.

An example module is shown to include two electro-permanent magnets. For example, rear-mounted modules (e.g., 1×2 or 2×2 modules) may include two electro-permanent magnets that may be activated to mechanically attach/release the module to steel inserts on the backplane under software control. A short positive-voltage pulse turns on magnetic holding, and a short negative-voltage pulse turns off holding. No quiescent power is needed in either the holding or released state.

A portion of a device in which a module is secured to the device via an electro-permanent magnet. A module includes an electro-permanent magnet and may be inserted into a slot formed by rails and a spine. The module may slide into the slot such that the module fits within grooves of the rails due to a curved radius of a perimeter or sides of the module and an opposite curvature being present in the rails.

A metal insert is included in the spine within a slot, and is configured to line up with the electro-permanent magnet of the module when the module is inserted into the slot. The device may include a built-in battery (not shown), that is separate from a battery module, which provides power for switching the electro-permanent magnet of the module (and possibly also provides reserve power for the device). The device may include a built-in battery to enable any battery module of the device to be removed, and also enable other modules to be removed and inserted by activation of electro-permanent magnets.

Within examples, the metal insert is configured to secure the module within the slot via a received magnetic force from the electro-permanent magnet.

A front side of the device is shown. On a front side, a backplane does not include a spine extending along a length of the device, and thus, metal inserts may not be present for the modules to lock onto via an electro-permanent magnet. The front side does include rails, for example, such as rails. The rails include grooves into which a front side module, such as display module or media module, may slide into to secure to the backplane.

In addition, modules may include other mechanisms to lock into the device. For example, the module may include a ball spring that is configured to compress into the module during insertion of the module to the front side of the backplane and to extend into a corresponding opening within the rail of the backplane based on force from the spring to secure the module into position on the front side of the backplane. The module may further include electro-permanent magnets coupled to the ball spring, and when the module is inserted into the device, the electro-permanent magnets may be activated to cause the ball spring to remain extended into the corresponding opening within the front side of the backplane. For example, the electro-permanent magnets may force a base that is coupled to a pin internal to the ball spring to push the pin upward forcing the ball spring against the rail. Thus, the ball spring is forced into the corresponding opening or divot in the rail which prevents the module from being removed from the device.

In some examples, the module may be configured to enable data transfer to the device via the pin of the ball spring in addition to or alternatively from the data pad on an underside surface of the module.

Within examples, the device may be configured to provide rear-facing modularity, front-facing modularity, or both to enable modules to be positioned on a front and/or back of the device. As described, modules positioned on a backside of the device may be configured to lock in place using electro-permanent magnets, and modules on a front side of the device may be configured to lock in place using a ball spring. In other examples, modules on the backside of the device may also or alternatively be configured to lock in place using a ball spring, and modules on the front side of the device may also or alternatively be configured to lock in place using the electro-permanent magnet configuration. Thus, modules may include one or both of the magnetic and mechanical mechanism to lock in place. Also, modules may be interchangeable and may be positioned on a front side or a backside of the device depending on a slot configuration of the device, for example.

In one example, a module may include an accelerometer or other inertial measurement unit (IMU), and may be configured to communicate with all other modules of the device. The accelerometer module may be configured to detect changes in acceleration due to the device falling, for example. Based on a detected change in acceleration that exceeds a threshold, the accelerometer module may be configured to cause the backplane to eject all modules. In some examples, modules may be ejected by de-magnetizing the electro-permanent magnets. In other examples, the modules may be ejected by causing the electro-permanent magnets to be magnetized in an opposite polarity that pushes the modules out.

It should be understood that arrangements described herein are for purposes of example only. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other arrangements and other elements (e.g. machines, interfaces, functions, orders, and groupings of functions, etc.) can be used instead, and some elements may be omitted altogether according to the desired results. Further, many of the elements that are described are functional entities that may be implemented as discrete or distributed components or in conjunction with other components, in any suitable combination and location, or other structural elements described as independent structures may be combined.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. 

We claim:
 1. A modular smartphone comprising: a backplane comprising a metal housing, a battery layer and a printed circuit board; wherein the metal housing includes a set of slots configured to receive user-removable modules; wherein the metal housing includes a set of rails configured to form the set of slots; a set of interface blocks, electrically coupled to the printed circuit board, positioned within one or more of the set of slots, that enable power transfer and data transfer between modules coupled to the set of interface blocks; wherein power transfer and data transfer between modules occur via the printed circuit board; and a network communication switch, located on and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board, that mediates data transfer between modules coupled to the set of interface blocks.
 2. The smartphone of claim 1, wherein the set of rails comprises a spine extending along the length of the metal housing and a set of ribs positioned perpendicular to the spine and extending from the spine to a perimeter of the backplane.
 3. The smartphone of claim 2, further comprising a front backplane configured to receive a display module.
 4. The smartphone of claim 3, wherein the set of slots and the set of rails are arranged according to a rectangular grid and the set of slots is configured to receive modules corresponding to integer multiples of a unit cell size of the rectangular grid.
 5. An electronic device comprising: a backplane including a set of slots configured to receive user-removable modules; a printed circuit board, coupled to the backplane; and a set of interface blocks, electrically connected to the printed circuit board, that enable power and data transfer between modules coupled to the set of interface blocks.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein an interface block of the set of interface blocks includes a power contact, configured to enable power transfer between a module coupled to the interface block and the printed circuit board, and a data interface, configured to enable data transfer between the module and the printed circuit board.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the power contact comprises power pins and the data interface comprises capacitive pads.
 8. The device of claim 5, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a network switch that enables direct communication between modules coupled to the set of interface blocks.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the network switch is a packet switch.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein data transfer between a first module coupled to the network switch and a second module coupled to the network switch is initiated by the first module and completed without using a host or an intermediate module.
 11. The device of claim 5, further comprising a set of rails defining the set of slots, wherein the set of rails comprises a spine extending along the length of the metal housing and a set of ribs positioned perpendicular to the spine and extending from the spine to a perimeter of the backplane.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the spine comprises a set of metal inserts, each metal insert of the set of metal inserts positioned within a slot of the set of slots; wherein the set of metal inserts is configured to retain modules inserted in the set of slots via magnetic force.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the spine comprises a set of electropermanent magnets, each electropermanent magnet of the set of electropermanent magnets positioned within a slot of the set of slots; wherein the set of electropermanent magnets is configured to retain modules inserted in the set of slots via magnetic force.
 14. The device of claim 12, further comprising first and second modules electrically coupled to the printed circuit board; wherein the first module comprises a battery and provides power to the second module via the printed circuit board.
 15. A module comprising: an electronics board, comprising a power contact and a data transfer interface; wherein the power contact and data transfer interface are configured to couple to an interface block of a modular device; a back cover, defining a cavity; wherein the cavity exposes the power contact and data transfer interface of the electronics board; and a front cover that couples to the back cover.
 16. The module of claim 15, wherein the electronics board comprises a microcontroller configured to receive power via the power contact and receive data via the data transfer interface.
 17. The module of claim 16, wherein the power contact comprises a set of power pins and the data transfer interface comprises a set of capacitive pads.
 18. The module of claim 16, wherein the electronics board further comprises an accelerometer.
 19. The module of claim 16, further comprising an electropermanent magnet; wherein the electropermanent magnet is electrically coupled to the electronics board and the electropermanent magnet is configured to retain the module in a slot of a modular device.
 20. The module of claim 19, wherein the back cover and the front cover define a curvature that enables retention by friction in a slot of a modular device, the slot having a corresponding curvature. 